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DOT Secretary Tata honors heroic ferry crew

North Carolina De­partment of Trans­portation Secretary Anthony Tata awarded seven crew members of the Motor Vessel Croatoan with the Ferry Division’s Extra Mile Award for their actions during an on­board medical emergency in June. The award came during a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Mann’s Harbor.

“This incident could have had many possible outcomes, but the crew’s quick response and attention to every detail ensured it had the right one,” Tata said. “The crew members of the Croatoan helped save their captain’s life, and deliv­ered the ship and its passen­gers safety to their destina­tion.”

The incident occurred on the afternoon of June 2 while the Croatoan was en route from Hatteras to Ocracoke carrying 24 vehicles and 52 passengers. Captain Shawn Gray suddenly collapsed in the wheelhouse and was unre­sponsive and not breathing.

The crew immediately sprang into action to admin­ister emergency medical pro­cedures to Gray while another officer took control of the helm and proceeded to the Oc­racoke dock.

Meanwhile, other crew members secured professional medical help from a passenger and operations personnel on shore contacted Hyde County Emergency Medical Services.

Captain Shawn Gray has made a complete recovery and returned to work last week. He attended today’s award cer­emony, and thanked the crew that helped save his life. “If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I’d be here today,” he said.